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Air Fryer Peanut Chicken served on a white plate, garnished with cilantro, scallions, and crushed peanuts

Air Fryer Peanut Chicken

This Air Fryer Peanut Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish that combines crispy chicken thighs with a rich, nutty sauce. Perfect for a healthy air fryer chicken dinner, this easy recipe saves time without sacrificing taste.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha (optional, to taste)
  • 1 lime zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • to taste Salt
  • 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sliced scallions, julienned cucumbers and carrots, chopped peanuts

Method
 

  1. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine Thai sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, Sriracha, lime zest, lime juice, granulated garlic, minced ginger, creamy peanut butter, and salt. Mash the bag gently to mix.
  2. Add chicken thighs to the bag, squeeze out excess air, and coat chicken in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor).
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  4. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20–22 minutes, turning halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. While the chicken cooks, add 1/2 cup of water to the remaining marinade, mix, and microwave in a container on high until boiling (about 1 minute). Watch closely to prevent overflow.
  6. Serve chicken over rice, drizzle with heated sauce, and garnish with cilantro, scallions, cucumbers, carrots, and peanuts if desired.

Notes

Pro Tip: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup even easier.